40 years ago: One dead, one injured in North Lawrence overpass accident

Tragedy occurred on the Kansas Turnpike this week as an eastbound car had fallen between sections of the North Second Street overpass, injuring the driver and killing the passenger. Vicki Krause, 19, of Wichita, had been trapped in the car and had been burned to death before responders were able to free her or douse the flames. The car's driver, Timothy Hartman, also 19 and from Wichita, had suffered severe lacerations and minor burns and was reported in fair condition at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The car had struck the bridge railing and had then crossed the passing lane before breaking into the opposite guard rail and falling between the two lanes of the turnpike. Roadway conditions had been wet at the time. The driver reported that he could remember nothing except that they had started to Topeka from Wichita and had stopped once for gasoline.